Senior Freedom of Information Officer

Victorian Government; Melbourne; On-site; AUD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

The Victorian Early Childhood Regulatory Authority (VECRA) is seeking a Senior Freedom of Information Officer to manage complex and sensitive FOI requests, provide expert legislative advice, and support timely defensible decisions that promote transparency and accountability. This is a two-year fixed-term appointment located in Melbourne, CBD and Inner Metro suburbs.

Join VECRA's Governance and Corporate Support Branch to support FOI, privacy, risk and audit functions, and contribute to

Qualifications

• Minimum of two years' extensive experience processing complex FOI requests.
• Experience interpreting the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (Cth) and guidance material.
• Ability to operate with autonomy and within a team.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Desirable: experience with Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) and Privacy & Data Protection Act 2014 (Vic).
• Desirable: experience in a Commonwealth Government agency or FOI environment.

Responsibilities

• Process FOI requests in accordance with the Act and guidelines.
• Provide expert legislative advice and support timely, defensible decisions.
• Build relationships with stakeholders and assist with reviews and complaints.
• Contribute to processing and releasing documents under FOI.

Skills

FOI processing

complex requests

stakeholder management

time management

verbal communication

written communication

autonomy

negotiation

Job description

Occupation: Governance and risk management

Location: Melbourne - CBD and Inner Metro suburbs

Reference: VG/DE/VECRA/1951492

Join VECRA as a Senior FOI Officer, managing complex and sensitive FOI requests, providing expert legislative advice and supporting timely, defensible decisions that promote transparency, accountability and good governance.

The Victorian Early Childhood Regulatory Authority (VECRA) is seeking an experienced senior Freedom of Information (FOI) officer.

This is a two-year, fixed term position.

About the Victorian Early Childhood Regulatory Authority (VECRA)

The VictorianEarly ChildhoodRegulatory Authority (VECRA) is the statutory authority responsible for regulating early childhood education and care services in Victoria. VECRA works to ensure the safety,wellbeingand development of children in these services through effective regulation, compliance activities, qualityassessmentsand continuous improvement activities.

VECRA plays a critical systemmanagementrole, providing guidance, oversight and assurance to the sector while supporting high-quality early childhood education outcomes for Victorian children and families.

About the Branch

The Governance and Corporate Support Branch lead the provision of quality corporate support services and functions (including human resources and occupation health and safety, risk and audit, finance, FOI, privacy, fleet, accommodation and organisational strategic projects) which enable successful operation of VECRA. In addition, the Governance and Corporate Support Branch is responsible for the oversight, delivery and reporting of the compliance and audit obligations required of a statutory authority.

About the Role

The Senior FOI Officer's role supports the Manager, FOI & Privacy with the delivery of timely FOI services to applicants, in conjunction with supporting to process requests in accordance with the Commonwealth Freedom of Information Act 1982 (the Act).

The incumbent will build relationships with a range of stokeholds, support and promote the release of documents and making decisions under the Act. They will apply their skills in other related contexts such as reviews and complaints pertaining to the FOI applications.

Attributes

To be successful in this role you will have:

• Extensive experience processing requests under the Act specifically working with complex FOI requests and preparing comprehensive robust decision letters an advantage;
• to process requests and make FOI decisions in accordance with the legislative requirements of the Act and guidelines issued by the Australian Information Commissioner;
• the ability to operate with an increased level of autonomy and accountability and within a team environment;
• to be able to provide professional and timely advice on a wide range of FOI related matters;
• to be able to review material identified in response to the FOI application to determine relevance and the scope within the Act;
• excellent time management skills and the ability to manage competing priorities effectively;
• the ability to manage stakeholders through effective negotiation and influence;
• strong verbal and written communication skills.

Qualifications and Experience

This role requires a minimum of two years extensive experience in processing complex FOI requests. Experience in working in a team environment is desirable.

• Demonstrated experience interpreting and applying the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (Cth) and associated guidance material.
• Experience managing complex and sensitive FOI requests, including document assessment, application of exemptions, consultation processes and preparation of legally sound defensible decisions is mandatory.
• Experience with the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) and/or Privacy & Data Protection Act 2014 (Vic) is desirable
• Experience working within a Commonwealth Government agency or in an organisation subject to the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (Cth) and the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth).

Further Information

VECRA values diversity and inclusion in all forms - gender, religion, ethnicity, LGBTIQ+, disability and neurodiversity. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. For more information about our work, working for VECRA, diversity and inclusion, and our employment conditions visit the VECRA website and our Diversity and Inclusion page.

Preferred applicants may be required to complete a police check and may be subject to other pre-employment checks including Working with Children Check. Information provided to VECRA will be treated in the strictest confidence.

Applications close 11:59pm on 22 October 2026

Applications close Thursday 22 October 2026 at 11.59pm